carbon buildup

[LS1CHEYENNE]

Hey guys, I was speaking recently to a mechanic friend of mine and he was telling me I could probably benefit from doing a professional carbon cleanse . It's some kind of machine that runs a chemical or solvent through your engine and collects the exhaust . He says that any engine with about a hundred grand on the clock could stand to have carbon buildup removed and that I"d notice an increase in power. They charge $125 where he works versus $250 at dealerships. I've never heard of this before but I don't consider myself all that savvy in the mechanical knowledge realm. What do you men know about this ? Thanks for the input.

[Tim Z]

ive never heard of it, sounds like a good way to empty your pockets. some one here will know for sure. I have heard of a colon cleanse!

[motoxlifer]

Carbon build up on your pistons can create hot spots which will cause preignition which = power loss. I don't know if it's worth $125 though. This would be a more fun alternative to the expensive cleaner.

[RedHeartbeat]

That's what SeaFoam is, a top_end cleaner. It's only about $8 a bottle.

[stumpy]

If its the BG44k stuff, it will work, they use nothing but that stuff at the dealership. They use a special tool, which I think enters the fuel line through the pressure fitting on the engine, injects it through there. But it works. You cant get it on your hands, or it will burn. One of the mechanics told me that when I handled a can, told me to wash my hands soon.

Seafoam will probably work about the same also.

[LS1CHEYENNE]

LOL on the colon cleanse comment - I was wondering if someone would make that comparison ! I have used Seafoam ($6 a can here) when I first got my engine because there was a lot of moisture in the oil .I changed it a few days later . I also ran a can through the tank but not sure I ever noticed an improvement in performance. Would it honestly work as well as this BG44 stuff? Maybe if I just use the Seafoam two or three tanks back to back . Thanks

[RedHeartbeat]

The BG stuff is a powerful injector cleaner. I don't know about it doing much more than that. The BG cleaner I used had an air driven canister you pour the fluid into and then hook up the the fuel rail. You run it at low pressure so its got enough pressure to keep the vehicle running but won't return to the fuel tank if you have a return type fuel rail.

[bmrtech]

We use the machine at our dealership. If a car fails a smog or has driveability issues with high mileage it is an option. We hook up the machine to your fuel system and disable the fuel pump. Kind of like when they do a bypass on hearts. They bypass the fuel pump and run the fuel system through the machine. I usually run the car for about an hour... hour and a half depending. We use a snap-on cleaning agent that is a fuel injector cleaner and a carbon deposit cleaner. It does work... but it costs a few dollars. The best way I think to clean carbon build-up is to take off the heads and clean off the pistons and valves. If you can do it yourself great... if not wait till a head gasket blows or you do a rebuild.

[airdiesel]

i read somewhere at one time that GM recommended owners of LS mtrs. run Chevron fuel. The Techron would help keep the top end from getting carbon buildup. Or at least slow it down.